JEFFERSON — Back in the summer, a revamped Jefferson football staff took a look at its roster and saw two hard truths:
1. The Dragons featured plenty of talent.
2. Plenty of talent had also just walked out the door.
Gone were offensive/defensive line behemoths Caleb Chandler and Dontae Wilson, while a smaller defense also faced a transformation.
All-State running back Colby Wood was back and raring for his senior campaign -- as was a re-invigorated Bryce Moore at quarterback.
Newly promoted head coach (formerly offensive coordinator) Gene Cathcart said the changes allowed, and necessitated, the Dragons to be a little more creative, especially on offense.
“The last few years we could just line up and run you over and not be run over because of our line. We just don’t have that kind of size this year,” said Cathcart, a coaching veteran that enjoyed success at numerous programs in multiple states prior to joining Jefferson. “We’re still a run-first offense but with Bryce taking over the quarterback duties almost exclusively, and playing very well, it also has allowed us to let (backup) Colby Clark quarterback the defense. That has been a huge move for us because of what Colby (Clark) brings to the defense.”
Moore said he knew he would be looked to for a bigger role and was ready for the challenge. And he showed as much to the entire state last week in helping the Dragons to their fifth state quarterfinal berth in six seasons -- this Friday at Mary Persons.
The signal caller was an efficient 11-of-19 for 159 yards passing and 3 touchdowns in last week's Class AAAA second round playoff upset of No. 2 Ridgeland, when the Panthers defense held the Dragons running game to 95 yards.
“I came into this year knowing I needed to work harder to get better. I think I have gotten better,” Moore said. “There’s been a few bumps in the road but there always are. We’re throwing it more than we used to but I think the work the receivers have done is why we have had more success.
“With the people we have this year, the defenses are having to pick their poison. Colby (Wood) is as good as he’s ever been. (Receivers) Sammy (Elegreet) and Zac (Corbin) and (tight end) Garmon (Randolph), all of those guys are hard to cover. And Colby coming out of the backfield just gives us so many weapons. Colby Clark is probably the most underrated player in Georgia in what he brings to the defense. He is huge for the defense.”
Junior receiver/safety Zac Corbin, who caught all three of Moore's scoring strikes at Ridgeland, has been a huge factor for the Dragons on both sides of the ball. He has 10 TD catches and is tied for the team lead with three interceptions. He was the only player in Region 8-AAAA to be voted to the All-Region team on both offense and defense.
Corbin said communication has been the key.
“I think that is the difference for us right now,” Corbin said. “It took a little time for us to get comfortable doing a few new things but now we are. We know where everyone is supposed to be. This may be the best we’ve played all season right now."
Cathcart agreed -- which is why he scoffs at anyone who tries to tell him the Dragons aren’t what they used to be. And after falling to the No. 2 seed in Region 8-AAAA and not completely dominating down the stretch this season, Jefferson dealt with outside questions of ability -- victims of its own impressive success of the previous five seasons (a span that has seen the Dragons win a state title, progress to four state quarterfinals and last year's semifinals).
“Every team every year is different. We knew this would be a non-traditional type of team from the last few years because we knew we wouldn’t be able to line up against everybody we played and just run over them,” Cathcart said. “You can’t compare this team to the (2012) title team or even last year. But this team may be a little more focused because they have to be to win. They know how to play together and play well. Those are things that can’t be measured by how big or small you are.”
Balance also has been a major factor in the playoffs this year and Cathcart feels that could give them an edge as they look forward.
“The one-dimensional teams in (Class) 4A are all done now. If you want to keep going you have to be able to run, throw, and defend. This team is doing all three very well right now,” he said. “The Ridgeland game may have been our most complete game of the year, despite what the score was. They were undefeated and just running over everybody.
“They jumped on us quick [the Dragons trailed 14-0 before prevailing 28-21] but we just stuck to what we do and made some adjustments on defense. They weren’t able to do much in the second half and we took advantage of every possession we had.”
In fact, percentage of points per possession may be the biggest stat Cathcart points to these days. Against White County, which held the ball for nearly three quarters in time of possession, the Dragons had just five possessions, scoring four touchdowns and taking a knee to end the game on their fifth. They have punted just 16 times in 12 games in 2017.
“That’s a big stat for us because we’re not able to sustain those long bruising drives like the last couple of years. We also know that teams will be able to run on us a little more because of our size,” he said. “That makes possession efficiency so important. We have done a great job of just taking what defenses give us, run or pass, and getting something out every possession we can.
“We're 10-2. We don't apologize for winning. The two teams we lost to (Thomson and St. Pius) are in the (Class 4A) quarterfinals and we beat everyone else we played. It’s been a pretty good season, so far.”
Of course it could get even better.
Jefferson knows it faces a tough task this week against a Mary Persons squad coming off its own semifinal appearance last season. But with two-time defending state champ Cartersville -- which had not lost since a 2014 state semifinal loss to Buford -- knocked out by Blessed Trinity last week, the bracket suddenly appears wide-open.
“With Cartersville losing I think that does open things up a little more for everyone else. But there are eight outstanding teams left and I think any of them can win it all,” Cathcart said.
Moore said Cartersville or no Cartersville, he always felt the Dragons had a shot at the title. And the close wins only helped their resolve.
“Honestly I thought this team was good enough to win it,” Moore said. “And even though Cartersville is out, that doesn’t mean anything yet. We didn’t doubt ourselves after the (St.) Pius loss and those close wins were actual motivators for us I think. We know we have to work hard and I think we’ve stepped it up so far in the playoffs.”
As to the initial question of the day, Corbin was locked in just like his coach.
“There was never anything wrong with Jefferson,” he said. “That’s other people’s perceptions. I don’t worry about that kind of stuff. This is a good team and we’re getting better. We’re only just now hitting our stride.”
That could be just the right ingredient they need at just the right time of the season.
JEFFERSON at MARY PERSONS
-- WHAT: Class AAAA quarterfinal
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: Mitchell Field at Dan Pitts Stadium, Forsyth
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM WDUN
-- JEFFERSON (10-2, Region 8, No. 2 seed): Defeated Region 6-AAAA champion Ridgeland 28-21 last week
-- MARY PERSONS (10-2, Region 2, No. 1 seed): Defeated Baldwin 39-14 last week
-- NOTABLE: First-ever meeting between the two teams.
-- WINNER PLAYS: Blessed Trinity (R7, S2) at Thomson (R3, S2) winner in the semifinals
